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A nurse is planning care for a client who reports abdominal pain. An assessment by the nurse reveals the client has a temperature of 39.2 degrees C (102 degrees F), heart rate of 105/min, a soft tender abdomen, and census overdue by 2 days. Which of the following findings should be the nurse's priority?
- A. Temperature
- B. Heart rate
- C. Abdominal tenderness
- D. Census overdue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Temperature. A high fever is a significant indicator of infection or other serious conditions, making it the priority finding. Elevated temperature indicates an immediate concern for infection, which can quickly escalate and lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly. While heart rate, abdominal tenderness, and census overdue are important aspects to consider in the client's care, addressing the fever takes precedence due to its potential severity and implications for the client's health.
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A nurse is caring for a client postoperatively. When the nurse prepares to change the dressing, the client says it hurts. Which intervention is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer pain medication 45 minutes prior to dressing change.
- B. Change the dressing quickly to minimize pain.
- C. Provide reassurance to the client that the pain will pass.
- D. Use a less painful dressing technique.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering pain medication before the dressing change is the priority action to help manage the client's pain effectively. This intervention ensures that the client is comfortable during the procedure. Changing the dressing quickly may cause more discomfort to the client. Providing reassurance is important but does not address the immediate pain concern. Using a less painful dressing technique may be helpful, but administering pain medication first is the priority to address the client's pain promptly.
The healthcare professional caring for a patient who is immobile frequently checks for impaired skin integrity. What is the rationale for this action?
- A. Inadequate blood flow leads to decreased tissue ischemia.
- B. Patients with limited caloric intake develop thicker skin.
- C. Pressure reduces circulation to affected tissue.
- D. Verbalization of skin care needs is decreased.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The rationale behind checking for impaired skin integrity in an immobile patient is that pressure reduces circulation to the affected tissue. Prolonged pressure on specific body parts can lead to reduced blood flow to those areas, causing tissue damage and potentially leading to pressure ulcers. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because inadequate blood flow causing decreased tissue ischemia, limited caloric intake leading to thicker skin, and decreased verbalization of skin care needs are not directly related to the rationale for checking for impaired skin integrity in immobile patients.
A client is scheduled for hip surgery in an hour. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
- A. Ensure that the client signs the consent form.
- B. Lock the client's valuables in a secure location.
- C. Verify the client's lab values in the medical record.
- D. Administer the prescribed preoperative sedative.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse's priority is to ensure that the client signs the consent form before the hip surgery. This is crucial as it ensures that the client has provided informed consent for the procedure. Locking valuables, verifying lab values, and administering sedatives are important tasks but ensuring consent takes precedence as it directly impacts the client's right to make decisions about their care.
A client reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to assess the quality of the pain?
- A. Is the pain sharp or dull?
- B. Does the pain feel like burning or aching?
- C. Is the pain constant or intermittent?
- D. Does the pain feel like throbbing or stabbing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When assessing pain quality, asking if the pain is sharp or dull helps determine the nature of the pain. Sharp pain is often associated with acute conditions, while dull pain may indicate a chronic issue. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the quality of the pain in terms of sharpness or dullness.
A nurse is preparing to check a client's blood pressure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Apply the cuff above the client's antecubital fossa.
- B. Use a cuff with a width that is about 60% of the client's arm circumference.
- C. Have the client sit with their arm resting at the level of their heart.
- D. Release the pressure on the client's arm at a rate of 5 to 6 mm per second.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action when checking a client's blood pressure is to apply the cuff above the client's antecubital fossa. Placing the cuff above this area allows for an accurate measurement of blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect because the cuff width should be approximately 40% of the arm circumference, not 60%. Choice C is incorrect as the client's arm should rest at heart level, not above it, to ensure an accurate reading. Choice D is incorrect as the pressure on the client's arm should be released at a rate of 2 to 3 mm per second, not 5 to 6 mm per second.